THE CHAIRMAN of Godolphin Atlantic Football Club in Newquay has defended a youth team coach who was jailed for assault, saying he remains "part of the family".

Lee Paxton, 33, of Crantock Street, was handed a 12-month sentence after he admitted attacking John Foreshaw with a pal in August last year.

Truro Crown Court heard that he was one of two men who had kicked their victim like he was a "sack of potatoes" before shouting and raising their arms "as if they were at a football match".

Paxton's lawyer pleaded with the judge to suspend the custodial sentence at a hearing on Friday.

But Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, said it would be a "travesty of justice" if he was not sent to prison for causing actual bodily harm.

Speaking to the Cornish Guardian on Monday, Godolphin chairman Tania Semmens described coach and first-team player Paxton as a "lovely lad" who regretted his actions.

She said he had played at the club for 12 years and would be welcomed back with open arms upon his release from prison.

"Our football club is a family and he's a very big part of that family," said Mrs Semmens.

"Of course we don't agree with what he did but everyone at the club is behind him 100 per cent.

"Everyone makes mistakes and he knows he's been stupid.

"We knew he was going to get sent down but he's been upfront and honest with us from day one.

"We are all absolutely gutted."

The court heard last week that builders Paxton and 44-year-old Andrew Duncan, from Stockton-on-Tees, had been working on a school project in the Isles of Scilly when they began arguing with Mr Foreshaw.

Iain Leadbetter, for the prosecution, said the victim was then punched to the ground and kicked in the head a number of times.

In mitigation it emerged that Paxton's last offence was ten years ago while Duncan's last conviction, for assault, had been in 1996.

Judge Clark agreed that Paxton's character references were impressive, particularly relating to his football coaching.

He told the pair: "I accept that both of you are hardworking, conscientious men. Mr Foreshaw was provocative, but whatever he did or said, ultimately both of you reacted with brutal violence.

"An eyewitness with a grandstand view described you as kicking him as if he was a sack of potatoes, and standing afterwards with your arms in the air, shouting, as if you were at a football match.

"It is for that reason that I cannot accept the submissions and impose a suspended prison sentence. If I did not send you to prison it would be a travesty of justice."

Following the hearing, Mrs Semmens said she hoped Paxton would be released in six months.

She added: "Football players can be very talented but sometimes they can be a bit short on brain cells. It's just one of those things."

Duncan was also jailed for 12 months.